Seven-year-old Asher was sailing with her family on Cape York when she needed life-saving care from the Royal Flying Doctor Service. Photo: Supplied.
A shark bite out on the vast Cape York ocean could have proven fatal. But thanks to the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS), a seven-year-old girl is alive today.
Asher * and her family were on a sailing trip when they pulled what they thought was a dead shark from a crab pot. But in an instant, the shark thrashed to life and bit deep into the young girl’s knee.
“When we realised her pants had been cut through and there was blood, we bandaged it straight away,” mum Niki said.
“My biggest worry was whether we’d even be able to reach Lockhart River because the weather was so bad.”
Niki said they made an emergency beach landing, anchoring their vessel offshore and taking the tinny in while carrying their daughter.
“I can remember standing out in the water holding the tinny, while my husband Ryan carried Asher to the ambulance on the beach, trying not to think about all the crocodiles we’d seen in the days before,” she said.
To ensure it can continue to provide life-saving care to patients like Asher, the RFDS is encouraging Australians to participate in its annual fitness challenge, Oceans to Outback, from 1 October.
The challenge invites supporters to walk, run or ride to keep the flying doctors flying.
“Oceans to Outback is a chance to challenge yourself while making a huge difference,” fundraising manager Lauren Lynagh said.
“When you sign up to walk, run or ride, you’re not just improving your own fitness, you’re also helping the health and wellbeing of those in the outback.
“Every kilometre you cover helps keep our aircraft flying, our crew equipped, and our communities connected to care.”
Although Asher and her family were hundreds of kilometres away from care, the RFDS flew them to Cairns Hospital within hours after a Lockhart River nurse called it in.
“We were travelling by boat; even if we could have tried to drive a motor vehicle, it would have been 10 hours with her injury getting worse,” Niki said.
“I don’t want to think about what might have happened.
“We are forever grateful the Flying Doctor saved our little girl.”
To sign up for Oceans to Outback and set your distance goal, go to: https://www.oceanstooutback.org.au/
*Asher’s family name has been withheld for privacy reasons.
